Police recover toy gun, victims identify two robbery suspects in Ekiti

By Zagazola Makama

The Ekiti State Police Command has recovered a toy gun allegedly used by two suspected armed robbers to intimidate victims during robbery operations, while two victims have identified the suspects during an identification parade.

Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the breakthrough followed a painstaking investigation into the arrest of the two suspects, identified as Emmanuel Adeola, 32, and Adediran Adeola, 28, both from Akure, Ondo State.

According to the sources, the suspects confessed to carrying out the alleged robberies during interrogation.

A thorough search of the Honda Accord vehicle allegedly used during the operations led to the recovery of a toy gun concealed on the back seat of the car.

The suspects reportedly admitted that the imitation firearm was deliberately used to resemble a real gun in order to intimidate victims and dispossess them of their valuables.

Police further disclosed that an identification parade was conducted, during which two victims positively identified the suspects as those who robbed them of their personal belongings.

The suspects remain in police custody and are receiving medical treatment after they were assaulted by a mob before their arrest.

Investigators are also pursuing suspected Point-of-Sale (POS) operators believed to have received funds transferred from victims under duress, while efforts are ongoing to recover other stolen property linked to the robbery.

The command said discreet investigations are continuing and that the suspects will be taken on further investigative outings once they are medically fit.